It’s a Bruns-Moore reunion week in Las Vegas

Originally published December 18, 2012 at 8:00 pm
Updated December 19, 2012 at 11:02 am

Washington senior receiver Cody Bruns is an old friend of Boise State receiver Kirby Moore and former Broncos star quarterback Kellen Moore. The Huskies will play Boise State in the MAACO Bowl Las Vegas on Saturday.

LAS VEGAS — Washington receiver Cody Bruns laughs and says in some ways he felt like he was “the middle brother” of what has turned into one of the first families of Boise State football — former star quarterback Kellen Moore and current Broncos receiver Kirby Moore.

All are Prosser natives who were part of the Mustangs’ high school juggernaut during the mid-2000s. Bruns and the Moore family will be reunited when the Huskies and Broncos play in the MAACO Bowl Las Vegas on Saturday.

The Moores are the sons of longtime Prosser coach Tom Moore. Bruns caught a state-record 310 passes during his days at Prosser, most from Kellen Moore, who was a year older, and many alongside Kirby Moore, a year younger. He even once tagged along on a family vacation with the Moores in junior high.

“It’ll be fun to go down there and see him and coach Moore,” Bruns said. “We are all obviously pretty close.”

Bruns, in fact, was tempted to join Kellen Moore at Boise State before signing at UW.

“I grew up in Washington and I always wanted to stay in the state,” Bruns said. “I grew up watching the Huskies and you know I loved Kellen — he is one of my best friends. Kirby as well. But I took a trip here and love it here and connected with these guys.”

And he says he’s never regretted it, even if his career has had its fits and starts. He controversially was pulled out of a possible redshirt season as a true freshman in the fifth game of the 2008 season and had just three catches his first two seasons. He redshirted in 2011 after the death of his father, Buck, during the summer.

Coming back for a fifth year, though, has allowed Bruns to leave on a better note. He has 13 receptions — including touchdowns in each of the past two games — as well as becoming the team’s main punt returner.

Kirby Moore, meanwhile, has emerged as Boise State’s second-leading receiver this year as a junior, with 36 catches for 368 yards.

“If you had a whole team of Kirby Moores, this would be a real easy job,” Boise State coach Chris Petersen said this week. “He is a really good person and a great student and he’s just a quiet, unassuming guy who goes out and does his job and makes plays.”

As for Kellen Moore, he’s in the NFL with the Detroit Lions, likely to try to find a TV somewhere Saturday afternoon.

Huskies practice in style

Washington is practicing at Bishop Gorman High School during its stay in Las Vegas, in facilities that drew raves from coaches and players. The school recently redid its football stadium to a capacity of 5,000, and also built a new 41,000-square foot athletic facility adjacent to it that includes an 11,000-square foot weight room.

“Best I’ve ever seen at a high school,” said UW safety Sean Parker.

“We were kind of shocked when we first got here,” said safety Justin Glenn. “I’ve never seen a high school with these types of facilities.”

The school has become an athletic powerhouse. Among its notable recent alums is basketball player Shabazz Muhammad, now at UCLA.

Washington practiced in conditions with which it is well-acquainted, however, as it was windy and rainy during most of its two-hour workout.